Effective Radiated Power Referenced to a Halfwave Dipole
The radio rules and regulations for other ham bands usually specify the
allowed transmitter power. But, for the 60 meter band, the
telecommunications authority in some countries (such as USA) are
specifying maximum Effective Radiated Power referenced to a halfwave
dipole (ERPd). In other words, if a standard dipole is used as the
antenna, then the power level measured at the feedpoint of the dipole
is exactly equal to the authorized reference power. This means zero
decibels of loss (or gain) relative to a dipole, and it simplifies the
power calculations for the real world antennas we use every day in ham
radio. How Much Transmitter Power Can We Use?
To determine what our maximum possible transmitter power can be, for
example, to achieve 100 Watts ERPd, we must know the gain or loss of our total antenna system. The antenna system includes the coaxial cable feedline loss, and the gain or loss of the actual antenna relative to a dipole.

Example:
For this purpose, our standard halfwave dipole has no gain and no loss.
If we were to attach the transmitter directly to the feedpoint of the
antenna, we could transmit 100 Watts transmitter output power. However,
let's say we are using 100 feet of RG-58 coax between the transmitter
and our dipole... this type of coax loses about -1dB in 100ft of cable
at 5MHz.. The RF power is lost in heat due to the insulation and the
resistance of the coaxial wire.

We can increase the transmitter power by exactly +1dB to compensate for the coax loss of -1dB.

So, we can legally run 125 Watts of transmitter power when using this
particular dipole antenna system with 100 feet of RG-58 coaxial
feedline.

Total Antenna System Gain or Loss = Feedline Loss in dB + Antenna Gain in dB

If your antenna has positive gain at 5MHz, such as a long wire, full wave loop or beam antenna, then you will need to reduce your power
to compensate for the antenna gain. Here is a handy graph you can use
to determine how much transmitter power you can run after you know your total antenna system gain or loss.

Note: For the USA's FCC regulatory compliance
purpose, hams
don't need to use the theoretical term dBi (isotropic antenna) or the
antenna
height or the ground losses in these calculations. Whatever antenna you
use, compute its gain or loss as if you put a standard dipole in place
of it, at the same feedpoint height and orientation. Simple antennas
such as inverted-V or 1/4 wave ground plane vertical antennas have
approximately no gain or loss compared to a dipole, since they are
essentially forms of a dipole.

About 60 meters... "The Rock Band"5MHz
has predictable propagation qualities that combine the best aspects of
40 meters and 80 meters. In areas of the world above 35 degrees of
latitude, 60 meters is often the best (or only) NVIS band during
daylight hours. In more equatorial latitudes, 5MHz provides constant
NVIS communications during hours of twilight and darkness. Many
non-governmental and governmental HF systems around the world depend
upon 5MHz daily. The Rock Band is always open to somewhere.

In
2003, when activity first began in USA on 5MHz, Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA
was on the air talking with a group of stations in California. That
evening, she coined the termThe Rock Band
to refer to the 5MHz ham band. She said "It is as solid as a
rock! ... and it is also channelized, so 60 meters seems fit to
be The Rock Band." The term caught on among hams. Now, The Rock Band has become widely used for EMCOMM nets, disaster readiness, and regional QSOs.
Notes on the International 5MHz Frequency List 1)
Dial Frequency: Above listed USB frequencies are "dial frequency" as you
see them on your radio VFO. The center-of-channel offset is already figured
out for you. (The center-of-channel is usually 1.5kHz higher than the
dial frequency).
2) International USB Standard: The worldwide standard
for Amateur Radio on 5MHz is Upper Sideband (USB). Other emission types and content
are also in use, including digital, data, and morse code CW.
3) USA: New rules for 2012:
All General class or higher licensees are authorized to transmit 2.8kHz maximum bandwidth, using the
equivalent of 100 Watts PEP to a
dipole. Hams are secondary service, and must not interfere with other
services. Data modes are allowed within the channel. RTTY modes such as PSK31
keyboarding must use no greater than 60Hz necessary bandwidth. Phone,
Data, and RTTY modes may use the USB (suppressed carrier) dial
frequency listing in the chart. CW must transmit at the center-of-channel frequency only!
4) UK: As of January 2013, UK now has multiple splintered band segments of various frequencies. Operation requires Notice Of Variation (NOV) special permit. 100Watts PEP transmitter output power (max 200 Watts PEP EIRP). All modes.
Max bandwidth 6kHz, except in the 3kHz segments where it is max 3kHz
bandwidth; signal must not extend outside the band segment frequency
limits. Max antenna height 20m Above Ground Level.
5)
Germany: DRA5 Experimental Beacon, operated by DARC (DK0WCY beacon
team), transmits propagation data (dial+1500Hz) CW/RTTY/PSK31.
6)
Canada: 5MHz channels, same as USA channels, with possibly an additional channel 5329kHz (5327.5 USB), are expected to go though a consultation process, and be approved for normal Canadian amateur radio licensees
in late 2012, then go into effect in early 2013. Some special temporary
paid licenses are being issued prior to the main amateur allocation. See the RAC Bulletin 5MHz, dated 2012-04-05 and Canada Gazette 2012-05-12 and Industry Canada Amaterur 5MHz Consultation Document for more information.Canada 5MHz Historic note: In 2003-2007, an experimental licensed operation by Marconi Radio Club (VO1MRC)
members used CW or USB on 5260, 5269, 5280, 5290, 5319, 5400 and 5405 kHz
with 100 watts output, and issued reports on the results of the experiments.
7) Finland: Club stations may apply for authorization
to operate the 5MHz channels with maximum power of 50 Watts on USB
only. The USB dial frequencies for Finland are: 5288.6, 5298.6, 5330.6,
5346.6, 5366.6, 5371.6, 5398.6 kHz.
8) Australia:
USB only. Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network WIA. WICEN
Non-amateur callsigns AXF404 or AXF405 or VXE580. ACMA type approved land mobile
radio equipment (i.e. Barrett, Codan, QMAC, commercial Icom, etc)registration required.
9) Remote bases and
Echolink HF stations: Some HF remote base stations in USA have
operated on 5371.5kHz, using Internet Remote Base or Echolink
with
voice squelch and/or UHF remotes. Channelized HF operation provides
excellent compatibility for remote base operation.
10) Iceland: 5260 – 5410 kHz band (replaces 8 channels). Maximum power 100W ( 20 dBW ).
11)
Bangladesh: 5250 to 5310 kHz Amateur Applications; Amateur propagation
experiments with stations of administrations permitting such
activities. Secondary status.
12) St. Lucia (J6) has the same 5 channels as USA and there continues
to be activity.
13) Greenland: VFO band. SSB, CW, or Digital.
14)
Other countries: Some other countries reported to have 5MHz activity, officially or unofficially:
Andorra, Czech, Kenya,
Greece, Columbia, Russia, Turkey, Belize, Ascension
Island, Panama, Honduras, Italy, Grenada, Suriname, Guatemala, Costa
Rica, Nicaragua, Morocco, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Cayman
Islands, Ghana, Slovak, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Croatia, Ireland, Luxembourg,
Bermuda, Kuwait, Caymans, New Zealand, Ascension, Bulgaria, Ghana,
Kirabati, Sierra Leone, Niue Island, and Mexico.
15) Norway: 5260-5410kHz
full band with VFO at 100W. Operation with VFO within the passband of
the recognised common international channels should tune directly to
the channel frequency.
16) Denmark: 5260-5450kHz
full band with VFO all modes. Maximum 1kw ERP, Bandwidth 8kHz.
17) Alaska Emergency Frequency, USA: The frequency 5167.5 kHz
USB may be used by hams in Alaska in case of emergency, to communicate with hams
or PART 90 PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO SERVICES in Alaska. Max 150W PEP. Must be within 50 nautical miles (92.6 km)
of the State of Alaska. May
also be used for establishing communication before switching to
another frequency. For tests and training drills necessary to ensure
the establishment, operation, and maintenance of emergency
communication systems. FCC table of frequency allocations Footnote US212.
18) Somalia: 5060-5450kHz full band with VFO all modes, as of 2004. Max
3kW. May be used to communicate with non-ham users of Somalia's
license-free 5MHz band, and others. Licenses issued in Puntland. See more info on Somalia ham radio.
19) Dominican Republic: 7 channels SSB and CW.
20) New Zealand:
Channel width: 2.8kHz. EMCOMM, Secondary use on a Non-Interference
basis. Only for recognised AREC activities, using AREC callsigns.
21) Barbados: 100W PEP USB Voice VFO band.
22) Sweden: Max Power 100W PEP, any emission mode, 3khz maximum bandwidth channel.
By special 6 month renewable license permit authorized by PTS with fees.
Fixed Station operation only, with amateur radio callsign. Secondary
user
status; ust not interfere with primary and other users. May communicate
with any other licensed stations international and within Sweden.
Sverige: Max Uteffekt 100W PEP, alla trafiksätt, Max 3 KHz
bandbredd. Speciellt tillstånd krävs (förnyas var 6
månad f.n) från PTS (ej licensfritt). Endast fasta
stationsplatser (anges i ansökan för tillståndet).
Amatörradiosignal får användas. Sekundär
användarstatus, tänk på att inte störa primära
och andra användare. Det är tillåtet med trafik med
andra användare både inom Sverige & Internationellt

23) Update: Feb 2014. The number
of countries allowing amateur radio operators to use frequencies in the
5MHz band increased during 2007-2014. Some countries do not widely
publish their
amateur frequency bands, or only provide special operating
authorisation for 5MHz on an individual basis. It has now become
extremely difficult to acquire and follow all the changes happening
with 5MHz around the world. In the case of non-published telecom
frequency allocations/authorizations, we rely upon private email information from
amateur radio operators in each country. The channel and frequency
assignments are
evolving, and therefore, this site will also try to maintain some references
for historical purposes.
24) Samoa: In mid-2013 Samoan telecomms regulator OOTR (Office Of
The Regulator) authorized 5250-5450 kHz at 100 Watts without other
restrictions, any mode. Prior to that, there were various individual
channelized temporary licenses issued.

Evening/Night Guidelines:
5MHz channels are a shared resource with many users. Especially on this band, it is very important to use the lowest
power necessary for communications. The Rock Band is always open to somewhere. At night, you may find that 20
Watts is sufficient. In many countries,
amateurs are secondary users and must QRT when a primary station is on
the channel. For this reason, transmission time should be kept to a
minimum, and it is best to wait a few seconds before responding during
a QSO conversation. Considerate hams usually try to avoid longwinded ragchews during
peak evening hours whenever activity is high and propagation is open
for wide regional communications on the 5MHz channels. Useful operating techniques for the 5MHz channels:
1.
Put the 5MHz channels in your transceiver memory, including the USB
mode. If possible, also include narrow TX bandwidth (2.4kHz transmit filter) and the correct
transmit power level.

3. Use your RIT or receive clarifier to tune
other stations in. Do not change your main VFO dial or transmit
frequency unless you discover that you are out of calibration.

4.
Avoid long auto-tuning or manual-tuning times if possible. Transmission
of a dead carrier, especially zero-beat, is not allowed in some countries
(such as USA).

5. How to make a contact: Before starting to transmit, listen on the
channel for at least 3 minutes. If it is vacant, start by just saying CQ and your CALLSIGN once using standard phonetics.
Listen for any response. It is not necessary
to call a long CQ on a standard 5MHz channel. Often, simply announcing
your callsign and location can sometimes be enough to start up a
contact.

6. If
you have a very high receive noise level at your QTH, be very cautious
about transmitting because you may be interfering with primary users or
a QSO that is already in progress between amateurs.

7. Try to
peacefully co-exist and share the channel with other ham signals in the
background. Unlike other HF SSB ham bands, 5MHz is channelized
and very limited. Don't insist upon a totally clear channel, because it
is possible for there to be several layers of ham QSOs going on
simultaneously in different areas on the same channel. If anyone requests immediate access to the channel, acknowledge the request, and immediately stop transmitting.

8. ID
more often than you normally would. Once you establish contact, say
your callsign and the callsign of station you are talking to. This will
help a lot when there are multiple stations simultaneously using the
same channel.

9. Avoid longwinded ragchewing. Use short transmissions, drag
your feet between overs, and give everyone a chance to use the
channels.

10. Be open to other stations calling each other between gaps in
your QSO.
11. Channel Names: Avoid saying "Channel One, Channel Two", because
there are at least 20 Channels on 5MHz around the world
now, and the list is growing. Also, some radios have older or obsolete
channel memories for 60 meters. Among regular 5MHz operators, the
channels are often called by the last few digits in kiloHertz, such as
"403.5" (meaning the dial frequency 5403.5kHz).Note: FCC Changed USA Amateur Radio 5MHz Rules in 2012

The FCC adopted the use of the
name "60 meter band", to refer to 5MHz amateur radio in the frequency
range 5330.5-5406.4 kHz, but USA hams are still only allowed to
transmit on 5 specific channels in the band.

The
FCC changed the rules to allow: Phone (Upper Sideband), RTTY, Data, and
CW; with specific new limitations on the use of these modes.

Amateur
radio is a "secondary user" in this band, and must not cause harmful
interference to other services! Amateur Radio Service must accept
interference from primary, other services, and other nations services.

Operators transmitting data or
RTTY must exercise care to limit the length of transmission so as to
avoid causing harmful interference to US Government stations.

General, Advanced, or Amateur Extra Class license only.

The maximum allowed power
level is 100 Watts PEP (ERP) effective radiated power referenced to
a halfwave dipole. If another type of antenna is used, the station licensee must
maintain a record of either the antenna manufacturer's data on the
antenna gain or calculations of the antenna gain.

Upper SideBand Phone, Data, or
RTTY transmissions may use dial (VFO) USB suppressed carrier frequency as listed. Transmissions must not exceed
the 2.8kHz bandwidth channel. RTTY modes such as PSK31 must not exceed
60Hz necessary bandwidth. Data modes must not exceed 2.8kHz bandwidth.
CW bandwidth must not exceed 150Hz bandwidth and the CW frequency must
be at the center of the channel.

Must exercise care to limit the length of transmission so as to avoid causing harmful interference to US Government stations.
Use LBT Listen- Before- Transmit. Data signal should be near center of channel
(approximately 1500Hz audio).
No § 97.221 automatically controlled digital data stations.
[Note: There is no 300 baud limit]

Must exercise care to limit the length of transmission so as to avoid causing harmful interference to US Government stations. Use LBT Listen- Before- Transmit. Data signal should be near center of channel (approximately 1500Hz audio).
No § 97.221 automatically controlled digital data stations.

Use LBT Listen- Before- Transmit. Before and during CW transmissions: Listen carefully for Upper Sideband signals on 5330.5 USB5346.5 USB5357.0 USB5371.5 USB5403.5 USBand do not interfere with other services traffic.

SSB BANDWIDTH
Operating with a 2.5kHz filter, an Upper Sideband transmitter set at
1.5kHz below the center-of-channel frequency, with a typical voice
bandpass of 300Hz to 2800Hz, the signal will just barely meet the
requirements of the FCC rules for the 2.8kHz channel.

DIGITAL KEYBOARDING MODE BANDWIDTH
For USA operators using a digital keyboarding mode, the maximum
bandwith is 60Hz and the signal must transmitted at the Center of
Channel only. If you use your VFO dial frequency, it should be set the
same as if you were using Upper Sideband voice, and your PSK31 audio
center should be 1500 Hz exactly. If you use a digital computer program
that displays your signal center instead of your dial frequency, it
should be set to the Center of Channel frequency. Operators should also monitor Upper Sideband voice to avoid interference.

CW MODE
For USA operators, CW must be transmitted at the Center of Channel
only. CW operators should also monitor Upper Sideband voice to avoid
interference.

Behind the FCC rule changes: about the FCC 5MHz Rulemaking and governmental process... A report from FCC on the rule changes sent to the US Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was assigned Executive
Communication number EC-4237 in December 2011, and a communication from the Chief of the Policy and Rules Division, Office of Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission,
transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Amendment
of Parts 2 and 97 of the Commission's Rules to Facilitate Use by
the Amateur Radio Service of the Allocation at 5 MHz" (FCC 11-171)
received in the Office of the President of the Senate on December 5,
2011; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The summary of report and order was published in the Federal Register on 03 February 2012. The Table of Frequency Allocations for the 5.06-5.45 MHz segment was amended:
USA Emcomm Digital DataThe new FCC rules for 5MHz do not
contain any 300 baud symbol rate limitation. Instead, the 5MHz channels
have a bandwidth limit of 2.8kHz. The
5MHz ham channels are thus suitable and legal for various modems, such
as PACTOR3, PACTOR4, and the MIL-STD 188-110 PSK-2400 waveforms, and
others that have 2.8kHz bandwidth or less.

Automatically Controlled Data
Stations are not allowed, however. So, any use of 5MHz must be with an
operator active on both sides of the QSO. Still, this provides a
wonderful opportunity for fast email or data traffic regional comms in
Emcomm scenarios. The same QSO can be a mix of voice SSB and data;
this is a feature not available on other HF bands.

5MHz was established to serve Emcomm.
It is important that all ham operators involved with HF Emcomm increase
their capability for the 5MHz 60 meter band for base, mobile, and
portable operation. These channels are also open for the possibility of
Interoperation during emergencies with other disaster response agencies
and organizations.

IARU Proposes International 5MHz Ham Band Secondary Status 150kHz Wide The IARU Administrative Council met in Sun City, South Africa on 19 August 2011, and announced their strategies for upcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) agenda. They established 4 major spectrum allocation priorities:

A harmonized allocation including amateur-satellite at 50 MHz

A wider harmonized allocation at 160 meters

Expansion of the 10 MHz amateur allocation

A worldwide secondary allocation of approximately 150 kHz at 5 MHz

The
Council also reviewed IARU Spectrum Requirements, and indicated that
"more information is needed regarding national arrangements for
allocations near 500 kHz and 5 MHz".

Although the IARU Administrative Council did not detail the exact band
edges proposed, there have been other references in international
conferences to the possible band limits: 5260 kHz to 5410 kHz. These are the same band edge VFO frequencies already in effect in some countries.The ITU Table of Frequency Allocations indicates that the primary use of the band is allocated to "5250 kHz to 5450 kHz, FIXED, MOBILE except aeronautical mobile". For more information, please see the complete IARU Administrative Council 2011 Summary Record.
World Radiocommunication ConferenceInformation from WRC12 in February 2012
indicates
that a proposal for an international Amateur Radio allocation with
secondary status around 5.3 MHz (5250~5450 kHz contiuous or
non-continguous) is likely to be on the agenda for the
next WRC15 in 2015. There has been opposition from many
countries and regional spectrum organizations. USA has said it would
support 15kHz around 5.3 MHz... approximately the same as
USA's present channels!
Some
other countries already have already assigned portions of this spectrum
to
hams on a secondary or Emcomm basis. We are likely to see more
countries supporting it through compromises, and this could result in a
60 meter global ham band (or regional sub bands) after 2015.

Other WRC12 News:Oceanic radar systems are being allocated 5250-5275kHz. This overlaps some of the area of existing 60 meter band amateur and Emcomm.
HFLINK will keep you updated on any changes and news on the 5MHz band.

ARCHIVE NOTE: The following rule ends 04 March 2012, replaced by new rules.

USA 2003-2012 FCC old 5MHzRules
(soon to be obsolete)"§97.303 (s) An amateur station having an operator holding a
General,
Advanced or Amateur Extra Class license may only transmit single
sideband, suppressed carrier, (emission type 2K8J3E) upper sideband on
the channels 5332 kHz, 5348 kHz, 5368 kHz, 5373 kHz, and 5405 kHz.
Amateur operators shall ensure that their transmission occupies only
the 2.8 kHz centered around each of these frequencies. Transmissions
shall not exceed an effective radiated power (e.r.p) of 50 W PEP. For
the purpose of computing e.r.p. the transmitter PEP will be multiplied
with the antenna gain relative to a dipole or the equivalent
calculation in decibels. A half wave dipole antenna will be presumed to
have a gain of 0 dBd. Licensees using other antennas must maintain in
their station records either manufacturer data on the antenna gain or
calculations of the antenna gain. No amateur station shall cause
harmful interference to stations authorized in the mobile and fixed
services; nor is any amateur station protected from interference due to
the operation of any such station."

USA: 5MHz for EMCOMM, not Ragchew, not Contest/DX

--an article by Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA

The 60 meter ham band has quite different operating privileges in
various countries of the world. The frequencies, rules, purpose,
regulations, operating procedures, and levels of priority are all
different in each country.

In USA, the 5MHz channels for ham radio were specifically requested,
justified, and approved primarily for Emergency and Disaster
Communications. The stated justification is the need for NVIS and
regional disaster response communications to fill in the propagation
gap between 40 meters and 80 meters. The process of the Amateur Radio
Service gaining access to these 5MHz frequencies was long and exacting.

Recently, due to another multi-year process of proposal and rulemaking,
FCC increased the privileges slightly for hams on 5MHz. However, the
FCC put even tighter technical restrictions on 5MHz operation than on
any other ham bands. 60 meters is not a normal ham band.

In this new ruling, FCC re-affirmed and clearly spelled out major
restrictions for hams on 5MHz. Hams are secondary users (or less) and
the Primary users of the 5MHz channels must not be interfered with in
any way that harms their communications.

Non-interference with a Primary user isn't just a matter of stopping
transmitting if you are asked to. It can also mean refraining from
transmitting, if there is any chance
that you might be preventing a Primary user from utilizing or starting
communications on the channel, even if you are not asked specifically.
The only way we can hope to fulfill our requirement for
non-interference, is to use very short transmissions and listen/watch
carefully between transmissions.

What are some common amateur radio operating practices that may not be suitable for 5MHz 60 meter band operation in USA?

In order to be ready for Emergency/Disaster Communications, hams need
to have good familiarity with the band and have equipment capable of
operating 5MHz. Hams can only do this by participating in active
operating on the 5MHz band. Somehow, we need to achieve a balance
between a good level of activity and the requirement for
non-interference. Finding this balance may be difficult, but for the
most part, hams are quite adept at good operating
habits.

Every ham operator transmitting on 5MHz must pay special attention to
the different operating methods and procedures that this unique
authorization requires.

There are proposals in the works to create an international ITU
allocation of a 60 meter Amateur Radio Service band with Secondary
status.

If hams in USA are found to be operating in ways that disregard the
spirit of the requested, justified, and approved reasons for which we
obtained 5MHz privileges, then it may be extremely difficult to ever
get FCC support for increased spectrum.

DXING ON 60 METERS HAS DOWNSIDE, ARRL NOTES. The ARRL Letter. Vol. 26, No. 14 ***************The ARRL is expressing concern that negative consequences could result fromchasing DX on 60 meters. Some DXpeditions have announced plans to operate onAmateur Radio's only channelized band, where amateur operations holdsecondary status to fixed service operations, including some US governmentstations. ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, says that while it's legal forDXpeditions to operate on the 5-MHz band provided the licensingadministration extends privileges there, DX pileups on 60 meters pose thepotential for real and unique problems.

"US amateurs are limited to five channels on 60 meters, USB only, maximumeffective radiated power (ERP) of 50 W, audio bandwidth not exceeding 2.8kHz, and not all of the channels are useable because of ongoing fixedservice operation," Sumner points out. "It is absolutely imperative that anyamateur transmitting on a 60 meter channel be prepared to relinquish thechannel immediately upon being requested to do so" by a primary serviceuser.

The Swains Island N8S DXpedition, just under way, announced plans on its Website to operate SSB on the 60-meter frequency of 5.4035 MHz, although thatband was not among those on an updated frequency list released this week.While Sumner said he wasn't singling out the N8S operation, working into theSouth Pacific on 5 MHz running just 50 W ERP on phone would be a challengeunder the best of circumstances.

"Amateurs must resist the temptation to exceed the radiated power limit,"Sumner stressed.

He also warned amateurs in countries that do not authorize amateur operationon 60 meters to resist the temptation to make contacts on the band. Radioamateurs transmitting on a 5 MHz frequency without authorization, Sumnerasserts, not only are breaking the law but are putting their continuedparticipation in the ARRL DXCC program in jeopardy.

"Anyone who submits a 5 MHz confirmation for DXCC credit may be asked toprovide evidence that their operation on that frequency was authorized," hesaid.

Even countries that authorize operation on 60 meters impose the expresscondition Amateur Radio stations not cause harmful interference to fixed andmobile service stations.

"Should such interference occur and not be immediately corrected, it willplace in jeopardy our existing limited privileges, our chances of increasingthose privileges on a domestic basis, and any chance we might have of everobtaining an international allocation," Sumner emphasized.

Last fall, the ARRL asked the FCC to expand 60 meter operating privilegesand substitute a new channel for one that's often occupied by a federalgovernment user. The League filed a Petition for Rule Making (PRM) October10. The petition said amateurs have proven, through interference-freeoperation on the five channels, that compatible sharing of the channels ispossible.

The League wants the FCC to authorize radio amateurs of General and higherclass to run 100 W ERP and to allow Morse code and data communication. Italso asks the Commission to replace the 5368.0 kHz center-frequency channelwith 5358.5 kHz, so amateurs can avoid federal government digital traffic onthe current channel.

If the FCC goes along with the ARRL's suggested changes, operation on 60meters would remain on a secondary basis, and radio amateurs would stillhave to avoid interfering with incumbent federal government and otherservices.

In an unrelated move, the ARRL has supported efforts to have WorldRadiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07) establish a worldwide secondaryamateur allocation of 5.260 to 5.410 MHz. A participating nationaladministration must formally propose the change for it to be considered thisfall at WRC-07.

5MHz interference from BPL and HomePlug transmitters:

Some
Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and in-building powerline
communications systems (PLCs) use HF and low VHF spectrum for
transmitting signals which radiate in the general area of the power
lines. Some of these systems have voluntarily conformed to the HomePlug
standard which uses "spectrum notches" in most of the HF ham bands in
their effort to mitigate some of the interference they cause to hams.
However, the existing HomePlug standard does not provide spectrum
notches for the 5MHz channels. The USA FCC requires that any new BPL
systems have the capability to notch out frequencies whenever they
generate interference to licensed services. However, in practice, it is
has been difficult to get BPL systems to deal with interference
complaints.

For reference purposes, here is a list of the USA
FCC-authorized BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) transmitting bands for
USA

To contribute news and information about 5MHz operation for any country, or updates to this site, please post the
information to the 5MHz forum or send it direct.Contact for coordination:Bonnie Crystal KQ6XA VR2KQ6XA International CoordinatorHF Frequency Coordination Committee, HFLINK

5MHz Yahoo Group
For those
who are interested in staying more informed or participating in further
discussions about changes in 5MHz internationally, please join the
international 5MHz group on Yahoogroups.